Botanical Name for Black-Eyed Susan Vine

The botanical name for the black-eyed Susan vine is Thunbergia alata. The genus name, Thunbergia, is an homage to the 18th century Swedish botanist Carl Thunberg. A member of the acanthus (Acanthaceae) family, black-eyed susan vine is a frost-tender perennial that may reach lengths of up to 20 feet in warm climates. The vine is notable for its cheery yellow or orange blooms, which are marked with a dark purple or brown "eye" in the center.

Location

A native of tropical Africa, black-eyed susan vine may be grown as an evergreen perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. In USDA zones 8 and 9, the vine will generally die back in the winter and regrow in the spring. Black-eyed susan vine can be grown from seed as a warm-weather annual so long as the plant has a minimum of five months of frost-free weather, according to Floridata. The vine prefers morning sunlight and afternoon shade, particularly in warmer climates.

Culture

Black-eyed susan vine thrives in well-draining, fertile soil enhanced with organic matter. The vine is not drought tolerant and requires regular watering to look its best. The plant may be propagated by starting seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frosts of spring, or by sowing seeds directly in the garden in late spring. Though black-eyed susan vine may also be propagated by summer cuttings, Cal's Plant of the Week reports that plants grown from seeds are more vigorous than cuttings.

Features

The climbing, sprawling black-eyed susan vine may be coaxed up trellises, arbors or fences, or planted in a hanging basket or container where its green, heart-shaped leaves and flowers can spill over the sides. If support is not provided, black-eyed susan vine makes an unusual and colorful ground cover. Flowers are quite long lasting, persisting from summer to fall. Cultivars include the pure white "Bakeri," the white-petaled, purple-center "Alba" and the dark-centered, orange, yellow or white-petaled "Suzie" hybrids.

Indoor Care

Black-eyed susan vine may be cultivated indoors. The vine will bloom all year if night temperatures stay above 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the plant receives direct sunlight in the winter. Indoor plants are susceptible to common pests such as whiteflies, scale and spider mites. Washing plants with insecticidal soap or water will help combat pests. Indoor plants can benefit from a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer, diluted to half strength and applied to the soil every two weeks.

About the Author

Michelle Wishhart is a writer based in Portland, Ore. She has been writing professionally since 2005, starting with her position as a staff arts writer for City on a Hill Press, an alternative weekly newspaper in Santa Cruz, Calif. An avid gardener, Wishhart worked as a Wholesale Nursery Grower at Encinal Nursery for two years. Wishhart holds a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and English literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz.